James Trafford has left the door open for a summer move after admitting that he will need to be first choice to fulfil his long-term England ambitions.
Trafford was speaking from England’s training base in Kansas City as the Three Lions prepare to kick off their World Cup campaign and you can see why Newcastle United – the most prominent of his summer suitors – are so drawn to the goalkeeper.
There’s a confidence about him that belies his young age and he coped with questions about his season of frustration at Manchester City, rules around grappling from set pieces and whether a summer move is on the agenda with the sort of aplomb that has kept him in Thomas Tuchel’s thinking despite playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He is one of a number of England players whose future is the subject of speculation and Tuchel has not stepped in to require them to have transfers sorted before the tournament kicks off.
The latest on Nick Pope’s future
